Author: dagorelick

Check out Paige’s preprint, where she systematically dissects the function of AHR genes (ahr1a, ahr1b, ahr2) in zebrafish craniofacial & fin development and sensitivity to dioxin. And there’s some bonus estrogen receptor experiments in there too! Read the preprint here.

An important negative result: We find that G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is not required for sex determination or ovary development in zebrafish. While nuclear estrogen receptors are clearly involved in sex determination and gonad development, Cammie’s preprint suggests that non-canonical estrogen signaling is dispensable for sex determination and gonad development.

During a break from reviewing grants for an upcoming study section, the lab and I went to hear Dr. Jennifer Doudna give a seminar. We use CRISPR-Cas9 extensively to modify the zebrafish genome, so seeing one of the scientists who discovered CRISPR and adapted it for targeted DNA modification in non-bacterial species…that will be something to tell my genetically engineered grandchildren about.

Finally, after more than two years, submission to six journals, three editorial rejections and six rounds of peer-review, I am proud to report that Shannon’s first author paper, her magnum opus, the diamond in her PhD crown, was published in PLOS Genetics!

I would be proud no matter what, but I’m extra proud because Shannon had the guts to stick with this story, continue to add and refine data in the face of multiple rejections and aim for publication in a high impact journal. Meanwhile the grant proposals based on this project, both Shannon’s NRSA and my R01 (and the R01-A1, and the subsequent R01), were not even discussed, let alone funded.

Throughout the entire process, Shannon remained in high spirits. The rest of the lab came together to contribute supporting data that kicked the impact up a notch. We found two great collaborators with expertise in assays requested by the reviewers.

Paige’s paper on estradiol uptake in zebrafish embryos and larvae was accepted to Toxicological Sciences. Congrats, Paige! Finally we have an answer to the perennial reviewer question: How much estrogen in fish water actually gets taken up by the zebrafish? The answer: not much.

The lab’s latest manuscript is out for peer review. Before it is accepted for publication, you can read the preprint here. Congrats to Shannon and the lab for some great work! Let’s hope the reviewers agree.